1
as in agitated
feeling overwhelming fear or worry
she's been distracted about her son ever since he left on that polar expedition
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in preoccupied
lost in thought and unaware of one's surroundings or actions
the distracted driver rear-ended the pickup truck that had stopped for the red light
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dazed
suffering from mental confusion
she's been chronically depressed and distracted since her husband's death
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in diverted
to draw the attention or mind to something else
we were distracted from our discussion by the noise outside
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alarmed
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
distracted by the looming tax deadline
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distracted
Susan Caminiti, CNBC, 30 June 2025
And that increasingly means distracted drivers using their smart device.
—Brooke Crothers, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Eric Roberge, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
By the time Moynihan’s second paper came out, many white liberals, distracted by the war in Vietnam and disenchanted by Black militancy, had given up on the crusade for civil rights.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distracted
Adjective
For employers, this means a labor force comprised of people who are anxious, distracted, or simply not there, said Stacy Greiner, CEO of on-demand pay platform DailyPay.
—Susan Caminiti, CNBC, 30 June 2025
And that increasingly means distracted drivers using their smart device.
—Brooke Crothers, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Verb
Don’t get distracted by things that don’t actually matter to you.
—Eric Roberge, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
By the time Moynihan’s second paper came out, many white liberals, distracted by the war in Vietnam and disenchanted by Black militancy, had given up on the crusade for civil rights.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distracted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distracted
Adjective
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Immigration attorney Mustafa Cetin told NJ.com around 50 detainees at the private center pushed down a dormitory wall after becoming agitated when meals were delayed.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
18 July 2025
-
With the addition of each agenda, each passionate cause that grows more and more aggressive as its members grow more agitated, the tension in the film increases.—
Scott Phillips,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
The guy who typically signs off on public statements may be a little preoccupied.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
17 July 2025
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To examine this, researchers analyzed data from over 700 young adults aged 18 to 30, comparing emotional regulation and dependence levels across three attachment styles: secure, preoccupied and dismissing.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
At some point, Kevin, dazed but not incapacitated, got on the line with a dispatcher.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 July 2025
-
In footage shared by local media, he was seen bloodied, dazed and clutching his mobile phone.—
Diaa Hadid,
NPR,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
Some 120 flights were in the air when the closure was announced, with some turned around and others diverted to Gatwick Airport outside London, Charles de Gaulle Airport near Paris or Ireland's Shannon Airport, tracking services showed.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
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United Airlines said seven of their flights returned to their origin or were diverted to other airports, and added that all other flights scheduled to the airport on Friday were cancelled.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But don’t be like those gullible commentators who are distraught over Gunn’s statement.—
Armond White,
National Review,
18 July 2025
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Louis Thuillier was distraught by his inability to know the plight of his subjects; to view the photographs from the distance of a century can imbue the viewer with a similar melancholy.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
This run – and the exhausted, bewildered looks on the players’ faces throughout it – has no doubt shaped Inter’s odds to win away to Barcelona, which look pretty close to long shot territory.—
Sam Tighe,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
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In the two years since Tommy Elliott was killed in a mass shooting, Maryanne’s grief has, in turns, left her aghast and overwhelmed, bewildered and incapacitated, grateful and wanting to die.—
Kristina Goetz,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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These five destinations show that sharing the shore with animals can be calm, safe and memorable for the right reasons when animals aren’t fed or disturbed.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Even the guards appeared to be disturbed.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Many tourism leaders in gateway towns near them are worried tourists will start going elsewhere if the park experience or its environment gets eroded.—
Kirk Siegler,
NPR,
24 July 2025
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As an interior and environment appropriations bill makes its way through Congress, activists are worried about its impacts, including on coal ash regulations.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distracted. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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